Open-Contemporary Art Center (OCAC) is an artist-run space founded in Banciao (Taiwan) in 2001. Our tasks include curation, interdisciplinary exchange, art forum, study and publication. We believe that contemporary art permeates into our lives in a wider range than ever. People need a significant clue of “what is contemporary art?” with a full imagination. We look at this and attempt to dedicated ourselves to create diverse forms of which the public interacted with contemporary art.

Curation

OCAC was first established by a group of artist-curators to illustrate our fundamental philosophy in art. We as artists feel most obligated to (or capable of) develop a theory of practice. Reflecting on art production and contemporary society, our curatorial purpose has always been discovering and putting forwards new perspectives. In the process of thinking carefully on Taiwan’s (art) feedback to the world in terms of art production, we examine our contemporary art under the influence of globalization in art.

Art/Artist Studio

Artist studio today may be the most openly liberal space among others. OCAC stands for a public space and a union of artists, which cannot be separate. We expect to do more than just simple production, storage and exhibitions in the art space, but certainly to strive to generate more conversation, radical thoughts and guerrilla activities. Through artists’ practice in the space, we attempt to bring up a proposal for living against capitalism in the contemporary society.

Community Dialogue

With a trend of the public involved art, contemporary art becomes vital and almost open to any non-art fields. OCAC is committed to opening up a dialogue of new possibilities and exchange. We continue to promote art in different communities via artists’ active participation and diverse practices in culture, which bring us to explore art’s influence on people in the reality.

Alternative Space? Artist-run Space? Alright, so today we have reached an understanding that “alternative space” has merely a historical connotation left, whereas “artist-run space” cuts directly to the chase, but still nothing is explained through these terms. We suggest a temporary halt on the investigation of terminology. The significance lies in what we do, what we did and what we will be doing next.

So what have you been up to? In short, we practice art and curate exhibitions. When able, we also organize forums, launch publications and initiate projects for international artistic exchange. If you haven’t the time to read the brief introduction on the back, all you need to remember is this: our job is to generate new dialogues between art and the public and to offer the world something different for a change, or at the very least, we try our best when making mistakes.

Why not simply focus on practicing art? It’s not that simple. In fact, there is no such thing as simply practicing art. Contemporary art and its viewers have broken away from the monotonous relationship of simply paying a visit to the museum. Whether people are aware of it or not, art has undoubtedly permeated into every aspect of our lives. Therefore, a genuine art practitioner would not shy away when met face to face with genuine public issues. We simply want to do it better.

Where does your funding come from? Unemployment subsidies. That was a joke. We operate with funds which come from our own pockets and occasional help from limited government funding—translation: we are often short of cash.

Are all members artists? We were founded as an artist-based organization, but are delighted to have recruited more and more members from interdisciplinary professions in recent years. As for the artists, you may still catch a glimpse of them from time to time carrying a spear and shield, riding a scrawny horse and followed around by a fox hound.

Can I join? Certainly, you are most welcome to join us. Please note, however, this is not a recruitment ad. Despite our wish to recruit more like-minded friends, we hope that all potential members first try to understand our situation before participating in anything. Acknowledgement of the process is in itself an important form of participation, which means that everything you imagine could be possible. In other words, we would love your attention starting from now.